Can you freeze celery raw?

Celery is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes. It has a crunchy texture and mild flavor that enhances soups, stews, salads, and more. Some people prefer to buy celery in bulk when it’s in season or on sale, then freeze it for later use. But can you freeze celery raw? Here’s what you need to know about freezing fresh celery.

Benefits of Freezing Celery

Freezing is a simple way to preserve fresh celery for several months. Here are some of the main benefits of freezing celery:

• Saves money – Buying celery in bulk when it’s on sale and freezing it can save money compared to buying small bunches weekly at regular price.
• Reduces food waste – Freezing celery prevents it from going bad before you can use it up.
• Saves prep time – Having frozen celery on hand means you don’t have to chop it every time you want to add it to a recipe.
• Preserves flavor – Frozen celery maintains its flavor and crunch better than keeping it in the fridge for weeks.
• Availability – Enjoy celery year-round, even when it’s out of season in your area.

Can You Freeze Celery Raw?

Yes, it is possible to freeze celery in its raw, fresh state without blanching or cooking it first. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when freezing raw celery stalks:

• Texture – Raw celery can become limper and lose some crunchiness when thawed after freezing.
• Moisture loss – Freezing causes ice crystals to form, rupturing plant cell walls. This leads to some moisture loss.
• Oxidation – Enzymes continue working during freezing and can cause oxidation, browning, and off-flavors.

While frozen raw celery won’t have quite the same crisp snap as fresh, it can still be used in most cooked dishes without major texture or flavor issues. The celery will soften further during cooking. Freezing raw works best for recipes like soups, stews, casseroles, stir fries, etc. where celery is cooked.

How to Freeze Celery

Follow these simple steps for freezing celery correctly:

1. Wash and dry celery stalks thoroughly.
2. Trim off any dried or discolored portions.
3. Cut celery into desired sizes – sliced, diced, leaves separated, etc.
4. Place prepared celery in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
6. Transfer frozen celery pieces to airtight freezer bags or containers.
7. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
8. Label with contents and freeze date.
9. Store frozen celery for up to 10-12 months at 0°F or below.

Freezing celery in a single layer first prevents clumping when frozen. Well-wrapped pieces stored at 0°F or below should retain good quality for around a year.

Can You Blanch Celery Before Freezing?

Blanching, boiling briefly then submerging in ice water, is commonly used when freezing vegetables. Blanching celery before freezing can help:

• Preserve color – Inactivates enzymes that cause oxidation and browning.
• Maintain texture – Softens cell walls so ice crystal damage is reduced.
• Retain nutrients – Stops enzyme action that can destroy vitamins.
• Clean – Removes any dirt or surface microbes.

To blanch celery, wash and cut stalks as desired. Boil pieces for 1-2 minutes, then submerge in ice water for 2 minutes to stop cooking. Drain, pat dry, and freeze. Blanching is optional but can help maximize quality.

Can You Freeze Celery Leaves?

The leaves or greens attached to celery stalks can also be frozen. Celery leaves have a stronger flavor than the stalks. They can be used like herbs to add flavor to dishes.

To freeze celery leaves:

1. Separate leaves from stalks, rinse, and dry well.
2. Chop or leave whole if small.
3. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
4. Transfer to airtight freezer containers or bags.
5. Press out air, seal, label, and freeze for up to 6 months.

Add the frozen chopped leaves directly to soups, stews, stocks, sauces, and more. No need to thaw first.

How to Use Frozen Celery

Frozen celery can be used in place of fresh in most cooked dishes without changing the recipe. Here are some ways to use frozen celery:

• Soups and stews – Add frozen celery pieces or leaves to soups and stews. The celery will soften as the dish cooks.
• Casseroles and baked pasta dishes – Mix in frozen diced or sliced celery.
• Chili, curries, braised dishes – Toss frozen celery pieces into simmering sauces.
• Meatloaf, stuffing, mirepoix – Use frozen celery as you would fresh when making these from scratch.
• Smoothies, juices – Add a few frozen celery sticks to green smoothies or juices.

Thaw first for any recipes where you need the crunch of fresh celery, like salads, slaws, wraps, etc. And raw frozen celery can be thawed and added to cream-based soups if needed.

Thawing Frozen Celery

There are a few easy ways to safely thaw frozen celery:

• Refrigerator – Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Cold water – Submerge sealed bag in cold water, changing water every 30 mins.
• Microwave – Microwave pieces on defrost setting based on quantity.
• As you cook – Add frozen celery pieces directly to simmering soups or stews.

Once thawed, use within a day or two for maximum freshness. Avoid refreezing thawed celery.

Storing Thawed Celery

To store thawed celery:

• Pat off any excess moisture after thawing.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in airtight container.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

The texture and flavor will degrade faster than fresh. Use thawed celery as soon as possible for best quality.

Tips for Freezing Celery

Follow these tips to successfully freeze fresh celery at home:

• Choose fresh, crisp celery free of blemishes.
• Cut celery right before freezing for maximum moisture and texture.
• Blanching before freezing is optional but helps preserve color and texture.
• Chill blanched celery in an ice bath before freezing.
• Work quickly to prevent thawed celery from warming and softening.
• Freeze diced or sliced celery in a single layer on a baking sheet first.
• Use airtight freezer bags or containers to prevent freezer burn.
• Squeeze out excess air and seal containers tightly.
• Label bags or containers with date and contents.
• Store at 0°F or below for 10-12 months maximum.

Taking steps to maximize quality and prevent freezer damage will give you the best results freezing fresh celery at home.

What Not to Do

Avoid these mistakes when freezing celery:

• Don’t freeze celery that is limp, damaged, or has blemishes.
• Don’t crowd celery pieces into a clump when freezing.
• Don’t thaw and refreeze celery more than once.
• Don’t store frozen celery above 0°F for long periods.
• Don’t freeze celery longer than 10-12 months.

Freezing underoptimal conditions or for too long leads to more degradation of texture, color, flavor, and nutrients.

Signs of Frozen Celery Going Bad

Check your frozen celery for these signs of spoilage:

• Strong discoloration or dark watery spots
• Odd smell, sliminess, or mushy texture
• Dry, shriveled pieces
• Ice crystals or frosty buildup inside the bag
• Soft or tough texture after cooking

Discard any spoiled celery. Sticking to recommended storage guidelines and freezing best practices will minimize damage and spoilage.

Best Frozen Celery Substitutes

If you don’t have any frozen celery on hand, try substituting with these alternatives:

Substitute	Notes
Fresh celery	Use fresh when possible for best flavor and texture.
Celery seeds	Add celery flavor to dishes. Use 1/2 to 1 tsp seeds per stalk.
Dried celery flakes	Rehydrate in cooking liquid. Use 1 Tbsp flakes for 1 stalk.
Onion/leeks	Replace some celery flavor in mirepoix. Reduce quantity.
Fennel	Has a mild anise-celery flavor. Adjust quantity to taste.

Celery leaves or seeds can mimic flavor well in cooked dishes. Fennel and onion add savory backnotes. But fresh celery works best for texture.

Common Questions

Can you freeze celery juice?

Yes, you can freeze celery juice. Blanch celery first to better preserve nutrients, then juice it. Pour the juice into ice cube trays or popsicle molds and freeze. Pop out frozen celery juice cubes and store in bags. Add to smoothies, soups, and stews as needed.

Can celery be frozen raw without blanching?

Celery can be frozen raw without blanching first. However, blanching helps retain color, texture, and nutrients better during freezing. Raw celery may become limper and oxidize more when frozen.

Is celery still crisp after freezing?

Celery will be less crisp after freezing compared to fresh. Some softening of texture and limpness is typical after thawing frozen celery due to cell damage during freezing. But it can still add flavor and crunch to cooked dishes.

Can you freeze celery paste?

Yes, celery paste made from blended celery can be frozen. Add some lemon juice to help prevent browning. Freeze serving-sized portions in ice cube trays, then transfer to bags. Use to flavor sauces, broths, and stews after thawing.

Can you freeze celery root?

Celery root can be frozen but will soften more compared to celery stalks. Peel, cut into pieces, blanch, cool, and freeze. Use within 8-12 months for best quality and flavor.

Conclusion

Freezing fresh raw celery is simple and preserves flavor and nutrients well. Blanching first helps maintain color and texture. Frozen celery works great cooked in soups, stews, casseroles and more. With proper storage in sealed containers at 0°F, frozen celery keeps for about 10-12 months. Thaw frozen celery in the fridge or with cold water before using raw. Follow best practices when preparing, freezing, storing and thawing celery to get the most out of this handy kitchen staple all year long.